FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 11, 2025) — The Army recently awarded $65.5 million in delivery orders Sept. 11, 2025, to Hardwire LLC and Leading Technology Composites, Inc., for the production of 72,179 Lightweight Small Arms Protective Inserts (LSAPI). The awards mark the official start of production for LSAPI, the newest component of the Soldier Protection System under Project Manager Soldier Survivability.
The official contract, awarded under the Army’s existing multiple-award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ), allows the Army to place orders with approved vendors as requirements are finalized. Delivery Orders W91CRB-25-F-A210 (Hardwire) and W91CRB-25-F-A211 (LTC) were issued under Notice of Fair Opportunity 0001. The total delivery order value of $65,564,335.70 covers 72,179 plates, with anticipated delivery to Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier within 18 months, no later than March 15, 2027.
LSAPI plates are approximately 30% lighter than the current Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) Generation III, reducing the Soldier’s combat load while maintaining ballistic protection. The plates also use a shooter’s cut geometry to improve mobility and range of motion. LSAPI integrates with the Army’s Modular Scalable Vest (MSV) Gen II and other systems in the Soldier Protection System (SPS) family of equipment.
“The Lightweight Small Arms Protective Insert award reflects our team’s dedicated effort to advance and optimize Soldier protection,” said Lt. Col. Ken Elgort, product manager for Soldier Protective Equipment (PdM SPE). “With this milestone, LSAPI moves into production and will soon begin fielding alongside the Modular Scalable Vest, reducing combat load while maintaining state-of-the-art ballistic performance. It also reflects a major win for domestic manufacturing and a proud moment for our team as we deliver on PEO Soldier’s commitment to equip Soldiers with world-class protection,” he added.
The LSAPI award is the latest step in modernization under Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PdM SPE), Project Manager Soldier Survivability (PM SSV), and Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, reducing weight, enhancing lethality and delivering modular protection across the Army’s combat formations.
